This species secretes oils known as "blood-sweat" which keep its skin waterproof.

[Relevance description]

A camera trap survey has been initiated to monitor pygmy hippos in Sapo National Park, Liberia.

Aims

To implement a monitoring programme using infra red camera traps to provide estimated of abundance of Pygmy hippos in Sapo National Park, which will feed into a conservation action plan for the species and to help inform park management.

Background

Project background: Signs of pigmy hippo have been observed in numerous localities within the park and over the last couple of months. It is now vital that detailed information on the species distribution within the park, and abundance estimates for the Sapo sub-population are collected. These estimates will lay the foundations for accurate, repeatable and robust population trend data to be compiled. Such data are essential for proactive conservation management of the species, both within the park and beyond its borders.

Project summary

The principle aim of this project is to implement a monitoring programme in Sapo National Park, Liberia, specifically designed to establish an evidence base for the presence of the Pygmy hippo, Hexaprotodon liberiensis, to inform management decisions and conservation action. Sapo National Park represents one of only three locations where pygmy hippos are thought to remain. Pygmy hippo sign has been observed in several localities within the park over the past couple of months. It is now vital that detailed information on the species distribution within the park, and abundance estimates for the Sapo sub-population are collected, laying the foundations for accurate, repeatable and robust population trend data to be compiled. Such data are essential for proactive conservation management of the species, both within the park and beyond its borders.

Objectives

1. Confirmation of the presence of the pygmy hippo in Sapo National Park.
2. Setting the evidence base for the monitoring trends in pygmy hippo abundance, and other Sapo National Park species.
3. The construction of a robust index of abundance of the pygmy hippo.
4. Presence/absence and site occupancy data on the pygmy hippo, and other species in the park.
5. Camera trap photos of the pygmy hippo, and other threatened species which will reinforce the park profile, both within Liberia and beyond.
6. A conservation management plan for the pygmy hippo, based on the survey results, and additional information on threats and conservation actions integrated from other Sapo projects.
7. Further development of a key monitoring technique which can be moved to areas beyond Sapo National Park.
8. Build capacity within the park for bio-monitoring of pygmy hippo, and of other medium to large vertebrates.

Other species in Sapo National Park which could also be caught on the camera traps include chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and several species of monkey, including the threatened Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana) and drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus).

Project partners

Robert Howard-Flora-Fauna International
Chris Carbone- Zoological Society of London